(Business Edge columnist Gyle Konotopetz regularly profiles the top three stock picks of some of Canada's most accomplished investment pros.)

FEATURED PRO: John Ing is president of Maison Placements Canada, a research-based institutional investment dealer based in Toronto that specializes in resource companies.

Ing's Perspective: "I believe both energy and gold commodities will be the story in 2005 and we haven't seen anything yet. The peak may actually not come until 2006. I think that we can forward to a weaker U.S. dollar and, quite frankly, that would translate into a much higher gold price. I still have an intermediate target of $510 (US per ounce) for the gold price."

FIRST STAR

* Crystallex International (TSX:KRY)

* Recent Price: $4.12.

* 52-Week Range: $2.28-$5.60.

* Snapshot: Crystallex is a gold mining company with properties in Venezuela, including its showcase project known as Las Cristinas.

* CEO: Todd Bruce.

* Head Office: Vancouver.

* Vital Stats: Revenue (last 12 mos), $18.1 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, -11.2 per cent; Earnings/Loss (last 12 mos), $87.9 million Loss; Market Cap, $873.37 million; Shares Outstanding, 181.57 million.

* Ing's View: "This company could have the Las Cristinas project in production in the first quarter of 2006 at a rate of 300,000 ounces (of gold) per year. Since the gold companies today are suffering because they don't have enough reserves and production, I would not be surprised to see a big major (company) come in to take on this project so there's takeover possibility."

* Ing's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.crystallex.com

SECOND STAR

* Kinross Gold (TSX:K)

* Recent Price: $8.72.

* 52-Week Range: $6.66-$12.05.

* Snapshot: Kinross is one of the world's top 10 primary gold producers with 1.7 million ounces in annual gold equivalent production.

The company recently signed a letter of intent to purchase 51 per cent of the Paracatu mine in Brazil, thus becoming a 100-per-cent owner of the property.

* CEO: Robert Buchan.

* Head Office: Toronto.

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 38.8; Revenue (last 12 mos), $816.5 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, -12.4 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $80.5 million; Market Cap, $3.36 billion; Shares Outstanding, 346.6 million.

* Ing's View: "Kinross recently made a deal to buy the other half of the Paracatu mine in Brazil, picking up production and reserves at a pretty attractive price.

"This is a long-life mine with reserves going all the way to 2024. Kinross grows through acquisition and this deal exemplifies why one should be holding this stock."

* Ing's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.kinross.com

THIRD STAR

* Centurion Energy International (TSX:CUX)

* Recent Price: $12.41.

* 52-Week Range: $1.55-$11.30.

* Snapshot: Centurion is an international oil and gas company with key properties in Tunisia and Egypt.

* CEO: Said Arrata.

* Head Office: Calgary.

* Vital Stats: Current Price/Earnings Ratio, 83.8; Revenue (last 12 mos), $55.7 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 25.4 per cent; Earnings (last 12 mos), $10.4 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 16 per cent; Market Cap, $873.37 million; Shares Outstanding, 181.57 million.

* Ing's View: "This has been a big performer but we expect it to perform even better based on a very impressive growth profile.

"They've got three wells that are potential company builders. In addition to their interests in Egypt and Tunisia, management is looking at going into other countries like Libya."

* Ing's Risk Rating: Medium.

* Web Watch: www.centurionenergy.com

Ing's Edge Record (past 12 mos): +60.5 per cent. Best Pick: Centurion Energy (TSX:CUX) +242.8 per cent. Worst Pick: Sino-Forest Corp. (TSX:TRE.A) -33.2 per cent.

Disclosure: Maison Placements has participated in financings for Crystallex and Centurion Energy.